Manually and fluid-pressure operated valve



Aug. 4, 1953 I P. P. DEMAY 2,647,538

MANUALLY AND FLUID-PRESSURE OPERATED VALVE Filed Sept. 18, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet l g as 5 @MM Gttorneg Aug. 4, 1953 P. P. DEMAY MANUALLY AND FLUID-PRESSURE OPERATED VALVE Filed Sept. 18, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Gttorneg Patented Aug. 4, 1953 MANUALLY AND FLUID-PRESSURE OPERATED VALVE Peter P. Demay, Chicago, 111., assignor to Minneapolis-Honeywell Regulator Company, Minneapolis, Minn., a corporation of Delaware 7 Application September 18, 1947, Serial No. 774,847

16 Claims. (01. 137-641) The present invention relates to valves for steam or hot water heating systems that can be either pneumatically or manually operated and that can be repacked with the heating system in operation.

The prior art valves cannot be repacked without shutting oil the pipe leading to and from the valve being worked on, this generally requiring that either a zone or the entire heating system be shut-off, with an attendant loss of time and inconvenience. The present valve construction is intended to alleviate these difiiculties by permitting repacking without shutting off the heating system or any valves other than the one being worked on. In addition the present valve can be manually closed, if desired, regardless of the controlling action of its pneumatic motor.

It is thus a principal object of this invention to rovide an improved valve especially suited for steam or hot water heating systems.

It is a further object to provide a valve that can be automatically operated or that can be manually closed if desired.

It is an additional object to provide a valve that can be closed by means other than the normal actuating means and that can be repacked while the valve is under pressure.

It is also an object to provide a pressure actuated valve that is relatively small and compact and that is easy to construct and maintain.

It is a further object to provide an adjustable valve wherein the operating stem is protected from excessive stresses so that it can be made relatively small and easily movable.

It is also an object to provide a motor actuated valve wherein the motor is thermally insulated from the valve body, thereby prolonging the life of the motor parts and increasing the reliability of the device.

It is another object to provide a valve having a pneumatic motor including a diaphragm designed to permit considerable movement.

These and other objects will become apparent upon a study of the following specification and drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is an elevation view, with parts in section, of a manually closeable pneumatically operable valve.

Figure 2 is a sectional view on the line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a partial sectional elevation showing the guide means of Figures 1 and 2.

Figure 4 is a partial sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a plan view of a spring retainer attached to the valve stem.

Figure 6 is an elevation view, with parts in section, of a modification of the valve shown in Figure 1.

Figure 7 is a partial sectional elevation similar to Figure 3 but relating to Figure 6.

The valve shown by Figures 1 to 5, inclusive, is designed for normal operation by a pneumatic control system but it can be manually closed at any time by suitably rotating its cap structure. The modification shown in Figures 6 and 7 is generally similar to the valve above described except ing that it lacks the manual closing feature and, as it has many parts in common with the above preferred embodiment, the like parts are similarly numbered. i

In Figure 1, valve body I0 is of the conventional angle type construction generally preferred for steam or hot water radiators but it may be, obviously, of any suitable shape or type. Valve body In includes an inlet connection I I, a passage I2 and an outlet connection I3, with valve seat It being disposed across passage I2. A movable valve member or disc I5 is connected by pin I1 to an enlarged lower end. I8 of valve stem I9, said enlarged end I8 either being integral with stem I9 or a separate attached part. Stem I9 is made relatively small in diameter to minimize the effect of variation in the steam pressure and to reduce packin difficulties and packing friction to a minimum. Packing 2 I, disposed around stem I9, is held in place by a packing retainer sleeve 22, the packing being compressed by a ring 23 urged downwardly by a coil spring 24, the compression of the spring being adjusted by a packing nut 25 threaded into the upper portion of the retaining sleeve 22.

Packing retainer sleeve 22 is screwed down into an upper recess 26 in an inner sleeve 21 forming part of a composite bonnet structure 28, the bonnet structure 28 also including an outer sleeve or upper body portion 29. Retainer sleeve 22 is seated against a gasket 3| disposed at the bottom of the recess 26 of sleeve 21 and is tightened by applying a suitable tool to tool engaging portion 30 of said sleeve.

Sleeve 21 also includes a lower recess 32 of suffi- .cient extent to accommodate the upper portion of the movable valve member I6, the upper portion of this recess including a conical seat portion 34 for forming a sealing engagement with an upper conical surface 35 of the enlarged lower end I8 of valve stem I9, under circumstances to be described. Inner sleeve 21 also includes an outwardly extending bottom flange portion 38 for sealingly engaging the bottom edge of outer sleeve member 29 when the sleeve 21 is screwed upwardly in sleeve 29 as far as said flange 38 will permit. An upper tool engaging portion II is formed on sleeve 21 so that it can be readily rotated and tightened in sleeve 29 during assembly and subsequent service operations on the valve.

Outer sleeve 29 is generally cylindrical in valve body I0 and, in conjunction with inner sleeve 21, forms the bonnet portion 28 of the 3 valve. A "hexagonal portion, not slidwi'i,- may .be formed-ch29 for application'of a wrench for tightening .29 in body portion In. Sleeve 29 includes an inner recess 42 for receiving the lower end of a compression spring 43 and an outer recess 45 for receiving the lower end of motor base member 41, the motor base member 41 ina less of the air pressure existing inchamber 60 of the'motorr Normal operation of the valve, however, is

'efiected by the pneumatic actuator or motor 55 wherein variations in the air pressure in chamber 55 caused by the pneumatic control system,

eluding a set screw 48 for operating witha groove The upper end of spring 43 is engaged by a retainer disc secured by a keyhole slot 52 therein coacting with a reduced or nec'ke'd down portion 53 of valve stem 19, this construction being shown in Figures 1 and 5 With the parts assembled as just described, .wherein retainer sleeve 22 is threaded .intothe: recess 26 .of inner sleeve-2 1, sleeve 21 is'threa'ded into outer sleeve 29,- which in turn is-s'crewed into valve body I0, and with movable valve member I 6 attachedto stem 19 and stem 19 being held inan uppermost position by spring 43, .it is apparent that the upper portion of the valve body is closed off and that valve member I6 is in its wideop'en position. Further, the valve IE will be held in that position by spring 43 until asufiicient pressure is-exerted on the upper portion of valve stem ill to overcome the spring 43 and force the valve member l5 downwardly.

A pneumatic motor generally designated by the numeral 55 is arranged above valve stem 19 for-forcing it downwardly, said motor 55 being connected by a flexible metallic tube 56 to the control piping connection 51 in the motor base member 41. To give the flexibility desired, this tubing preferably makes two turns around the stem portion of the valve although only a single turn is illustrated. Pneumatic motor 55 includes ana'ngea member59 having an air chamber 65 and an outwardly extending sealing ring portion 6| overwhichtheouter edge of diaphragm 62 is securely held by a clamping ring 63. Diaphra-gm 62 is formed with a 'suitablewoven material such as Nylon'im'pregna'ted with a heat resisting rubber-like material'such'as Neoprene, said diaphragm being molded to substantially the'frustum shape shown so that its operating parts are in a ho'ms'tre'ssed condition while the diaphragm is in its uppermost position. Dia= phlegm '52'is formed with'a na ure convolution around the bottom p'ortionpf its "frust'um shape so that'movementof the diaphragm downwardly results in a rolling motion "of thematerial rorming the convolution. This arrangement "gives a minimum of wrinkling and permits "smooth and dependable operation. An inverted cup-like member65 is'arra'ngedover dis'cmember 5| to serve-ass bearing 'platefor diaphragm s2.

To'properly'p'osition pneumatic motor 55 relative to them-'otorbase member '41, clamp ring member 63 is "provided with a pair of oppositely arranged downwardly extending leg members 61 terminating in outwardly directed 'guideportions' 58, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, said guideportrons ta being snuablyarrangea in recesses59 formed'in bosses 10 of base member 41. The pneumatic motor or actuator 55 is illustrated iii an upper position, but'theguide means are such that said-actuator can be moved down wardly "by an amour'it'at least equal to the valve travel required to force movable member 16 against'seat M. The purpos'e'of this slidable arranger semis iii-permit the entire'motor 55 to be moved downwardly to close the" valve regard-'- not shown, in cooperation with spring 43 causes expansive or eontractive movements of diaphragm 52 to thus variably position valve member It and control the flow of heating medium through the valve;

Pneumatic motor 55 is secured in position above valve stem 19 by a rotatable cap structure generally designated by the numeral 12. Cap structure 12 includes an outer ring or handle member 13 preferably constructed of Bakelite or a similar material and having a large pitch square thread formation 14 around its inner lower portion for coacting with a mating thread formation 15 formed on the upper outer portion of base member 41. The pitch of this thread is arranged to be greater than the travel of valve member Hi from open to closed position, but the extent of the thread 14 is limited to prevent more than a single revolutionof member 13, the end of the thread preventing 13 from being screwed above the position shown. An upper threaded recess 15 is formed in ring 13 for receivingflan inner metal cap member 11. To prevent rota-'- tion of .member 11 relative to-ring 13, a portion 18 of flange 121 of the member 11 is cut to conform with a ledge 3! formed in the bottom of recess Ed-this structure being shown in Figures 1 and 4. A flanged'p'lug-BE is projected through an opening 83 in member 11 andengages the upper surface of member59 of motor 55, a guide ring 84 formed on 58 serving toproperly center said motor relative to plug'82. A spiral spring 85 engages plug 82 and holds it in its lowermost position under any normal forces applied to the structure, the spring 85 being held in place by an outer Bakelite cap'member 86 threaded into recess 16 of ring 13 and then looked against turning by a set screw '81. Spring .85 is made somewhat stifferthan spring 43, so that it does not normally flex but it is suificiently flexible tov serve as a strain release means to prevent excess stress from being exerted on the valve oper= atingstructure and thereby permits valve stem 19 to bemade relatively small in diameter. .Dow'nward movement of cap 12 is limited by flange 19 abutting the upper portion of member 41.

In addition to the advantages previouslymentiohed for the smalldiameter of valve stem vl9, it has been found'that the small stem-conducts less heat to the actuator 55 than is commonwith conventional valves. Also, heat transfer from the valve body to the actuator '55 is'hindered by the surfaces of threads 14 and 15 and by the insulatingcharacteristics of the Bakelite material of ring '13 and cap member :86. Because of the relatively good radiating characteristics .of this'material and the extensive surface of these members, the heat that does pass to the cap structure is rapidly dissipated with a result'that motor 55 is maintained-at a'much lower temperature than comparableprior art valves, and-with a consequent increase in life and dependability.

Themodification shown in Figures 6 and '11s generally similar to that'of the previous figures but di'iiers therefrom inhavinga slightly different motor base member'81 and a different cap member 88. Motor base member 81 includes possess 9 similar to bosses '10 previously described but having recesses 90 thereifrorconsiderably less depth than the recesses 69 shown in Figure 3. The recesses 90 are just deep enough to permit guide portions 68 of clamping ring ,63 to engage the bottom of the recesses when motor means 55 is properly located above stem [9. The actuator 55 is held in place by cap 88 which engages member 59 of the motor and holds it in its normal operating position, with guide means 68 in the bottom of recesses 90. With this arrangement, wherein the pneumatic motor 55 is immovably held by cap 88, valve stem l9 can be operated only by pneumatic motor 55, with an increase in pressure forcing diaphragm 52 downwardly and thus closing valve l6 against its seat as in the previous example. Cap 88 is locked to base member 81 by projection means 9| coacting with bayonet slots 92 in base member 81, rotation of 58 being prevented by set screw 93.

Operation The normal operation of both of these valves is obviously the same, with an increase in pressure in motor 55 overcoming spring 43 and forcing movable valve member i6 downwardly an extent depending upon the pressure exerted in chamber 55. Further, as the motor 55 of the modification of Figure 6 is immovably held by cap 88, it is obvious that the valve of this figure can be operated only by said motor. However, in the manually operable embodiment of Figure 1, motor 55 is guided by recesses 55 in base member 41 in a manner to permit a vertical travel of the motor at least equal to the movement required to close valve disc 16 against seat l4.-- Not only is motor 55 guided for vertical movement in base member 41, but it is likewise prevented from rotating by action of guides 65 coacting with recesses 59. This is necessary when cap means 12 is rotated for member 59 would tend to follow the rotation of the cap member unless so prevented because of the frictional engagements between cap member 85, spring 85, plug member 82 and said member 59. Because the pitch of the threads 14 and 15 is greater than the travel of valve member it, less than one full rotation of cap 12 is sufficient to force motor 55 downwardly against the force of spring 43, regardless of the pressure existing in chamber 60, to thus close the valve. Obviously, if the pressure existing in chamber 60 is sufiicient to partially close the valve, less than the previous rotative movement of the cap is effective to close the valve. Of course, fully automatic operation cannot be restored without reversing the rotative movement of cap 12 to permit spring 43 to force motor 55 back to its normal operating position.

To replace packing 2| in the valve of Figure 1 without closing off the steam lines to and from the valve, and without disconnecting the control piping from the connection 51, the cap structure 12 may be disassembled in a reverse order to the assembly procedure previously described, with set screw 81 first being removed, capmember 86 then being screwed out of ring 13, thus permitting the removal of spring 85, plug 82 and metal cap 11. Motor 55 may then be lifted upwardly and to one side of the valve structure, such motion being permitted by the flexibility of the tubing 56. Inverted cup member 65 is lifted off disc disc 5| is disengaged from the valve stem I9 by sliding it to one side so that the larger portion of keyhole slot 52 may he slid over the end of the valve stem, and the disc 5|, spring 43 are removed. With spring 43 out of the way, a suitable tool can be applied to tool engaging portion 4| of sleeve 21 to rotate it in a direction to screw it downwardly so that conical seat 34 will engage mating portion 35 of enlargement [8 of valve stem l9 and thus force valve member l6 downwardly.

When sleeve 21 is screwed sufficiently far into outer sleeve 29 to force valve member [6 tightly against seat [4, surface 34 will also be sealingly engaging surface 35. With valve disc 16 against seat [4, leakage is prevented into valve passage l1 from inlet H by said valve disc; with surface 34 engaging 35, leakage is prevented from the passage l2 along the valve stem by the engagement of said surfaces, and leakage is prevented between sleeves 21 and 29 by the threaded engagement between said sleeves. While it is possible that there may be a slight leakage between the threads, this is of little consequence and does not interfere with the subsequent operations. With leakage of steam from the valve thus being substantially prevented, and because the sealing means just described are independent of and below packing 2 l, retainer 22, including packing 2|, ring 23, spring 24 and adjusting nut 25 can be removed as a unit by applying a suitable tool to portion 30 of the retainer 22 and screwing it out of sleeve 21 and slipping it off of stem l9. Then, by removing adjusting nut 25 from sleeve 22, spring 24, ring 23 and packing 2! can be shaken out or otherwise removed; new packing substituted, and the parts reassembled. The retainer 22 with its new packing is then slipped back over stem 19 and screwed into the upper recess of sleeve 21 as before described. By using a right hand thread between retainer sleeve 22 and inner sleeve 21 and a left hand thread between sleeve 21 and sleeve 29, rotation of portion 35 of sleeve 22 in one direction, once sleeve 21 has been loosened slightly by applying a tool to portion 4 I, will drive sleeve 21 in the desired direction and then, on sleeve 21 being stopped by engagement of flange 38 with sleeve 29 or by engagement of surface 34 with conical surface 35, further rotation of 30 will then either remove or tighten, as the case may be, retainer 22 relative to sleeve 21. However, this is only a matter of convenience and all threads may be of the same sort if desired.

Although it is suggested that retainer sleeve 22 be screwed out of sleeve 21 and slipped over stem [9 before further disassembly, it is obvious that nut 25, spring 24 and ring 23 may be removed with retainer sleeve 22 in place, the packing 2i dug out by a suitable tool, new packing replaced, and the parts reassembled as before. Although this latter mode of changing the packing does not require that the retainer sleeve 22 be separate from sleeve 21, it is preferred that the retainer sleeve with all its parts be removed prior to changing the packing for not only is the packing more easily changed when readily accessible, but also there is less chance of damage to the small and polishedstem [9.

Instead of disassembling cap structure 12 as described, and where it is flexible to disconnect the control piping, set screw 23 may be loosened and the upper body portion 41 and cap structure 12 then removed. The subsequent removal of motor 55 and other parts will be the same as above described.

The packing is changed in the valve of Figure 6 in very much the same manner as above described, with the exception that set screw is first removed, cap 88 is rotated sufficiently to disengage projection 9| from bayonet slot 92, and the cap is then removed. This permits motor 55 to be lifted to one side with-the sub '7 sequent operation of changing the packingbeing exactly the same 1 as before.

Upon changing the packing and reassembling retainer 22 in sleeve 2l,-sleeve'2'l is then threaded back up into sleeve 29 by anontinued turning ofpcrtion as ofrsleeve 22 or by applying a suitable tool to portion M of sleeve 2l, sleeve 21 being screwed up into zll until flange 38 sealingly engages the bottom of sleeve .29. The restoration of sleeve 2'? to its'originalposition permits valve member is to .be pushed off seat M by steam flow and, upon a subsequent reassembly of disc i and spring A3 with stem ill, .the valve will be held in a fully open position. Motor 55 is then placed over cup member 165 and the cap means reapplied in a mannerJreVerse to the disassembly described, or in the same manner as first related.

While the present invention is illustrated in itsapplication to a pneumatically operated steam or hot water valve, it is obviously useful with other types of manual or.motor operated valves, and the features of novelty herein described may be incorporated wherever found suitable.

I claim:

1. A valve comprising a main body having a passage therethrough, a seat portion within'said body, a movable valve member for'coactingwith said seat portion, a'stem member for actuating said valve member, said stemmember having an enlarged portion, an outer threaded member attached to said main body, an inner sleeve member concentric with said stem member and threaded into said outer member, a retainer sleeve member threadedly engaging said inner sleeve member and also concentric with said stem member, and packing arranged between said retainer sleeve member-and said stem member, said inner sleeve member including means for engaging the enlarged portion of said stem member and for forcing-said stem member and valve member downwardly against said seat when said inner sleeve member is screwed downwardly from its normal position in said outer member, the engagement of the valve member against the valve seat sealing on one end of the passage through the valve and the engagement of the inner sleeve means with the enlarged portion of the stem sealing off the retainer .sleeve from. the other end of saidpassage.

2. A valve comprising a main body member having a seat portion, an upper body member attached to said main body member, a movable valve member for coacting with said seat portion, a valve stem for actuating said movable member, a generally cylindrical sleeve --ember concentric with said valve stem and threaded into said upper body member, and a retainer sleeve member threaded into said cylindrical sleeve member and arranged concentric with said valve stem, said retainer sleeve member having a recess for packing for said valveistem, said cylindrical sleeve member having means'for forming a sealing engagement with said upper body portion and having other means for effecting a seal to prevent leakage along said valve stem, said cylindrical sleeve member being moveable downwardly far enough to .force said 'valve member into engagement with said seat portion.

3. In a valve construction, a main body portion having a seat,.a.movable valvemember and operating stem therefor, an upper body portion attached .to said main body portion, a sleeve member threaded through said upper body porall) 8 tion and adjustable between .an upper normal positionandailower position in which it forces said valve member against said seat, a packing retainer attached to said sleeve member and including acking means for forming a sealing connection with; said valve stem, said sleeve member alsoincluding means for forming a seal between said sleeve member and said stem independent of and below said packing means.

l..A valve comprising a main body portion having a passage 'therethrough, a seat in said body portionand across said passage, a movable valve member for coacting with .said seat portion, .a rnovable valve stem member for actuating said valve member, packing arranged around saidstem member, a retainer sleevemember concentric withsaid stern member for holding saidzpackingin place,:an inner sleevememher to which said retainer sleeve member is secured, said inner sleeve member also being concentric with said stem member, and an upper body portion secured to said main body portion, said inner sleeve member being threaded through saidupper body portion, said inner sleeve member inoluding an outwardly extending flange for normally engaging said upper body portion in sealing relation, said inner sleeve member also including means for forcing said valve member against its seat portioniand for making a sealing engagement with one of saidmovable me. bers when it is threaded downwardly from its normal position in said upper body portion.

5. A valve including a body, a valve seat, a movable valve member for coacting with said seat, a valve stem for actuating said valve member, said valve stem having an enlarged lower portion, packing for said valve stem, a first sleeve member for holding said packing in proper relation toisaid storm-and a threaded sleeve member arranged between said first sleeve member and said body, said threaded sleeve member includ ing means for engaging the enlarged lower portion of said valve stem when said threaded sleeve member is screwed down into the valve body in a manner to force said movable member against its seat.

6. A valve having a body with a therethrough,.a seat portion in said body and across said passage, a movable valve member, a stem member for actuating said valve member, packing means for said stem member, means for engaging aid stem member above said packing for actuating said valve member to open and closed positions, and means for engaging said stem member below said packing for actuating said valve member to a closed position and for forming a seal with said stem member.

'7. A pressure actuated valve comprising, in combination, a main'bodyportion having a passage therethrough, a valve seat in said passage, a movable valve member, a movable stem member doractuating said valve member, an upper body portion attached to said main body portion, retainer means attached to the upper end of said stem, compression spring meansarranged between said upper body portion and said retainin means for urging said stem and said valve member to a fully'open position-threaded sleeve means extendingthrough said upper body portion and concentric with said stem member, a retainer sleeve member attached to said threaded sleeve member and also concentric with said stemtmember, saidrretainer sleeve member-carrying packing for sealingly engaging said stem member, said threaded sleeve member also including means for engaging one of said movable members in sealing relation when said threaded sleeve member is screwed down from its normal position, a motor base member mounted on said upper body portion, an expansible and contractible pneumatic motor means arranged above and in engagement with said valve stem member, means for mounting said pneumatic motor means in slidable relation to said motor base member, and movable cap means for varying the position of said motor means to a sufficient extent to force said valve member against its seat even though the pneumatic motor means is in a contracted condition.

8. A valve construction comprising a main body member, an upper body portion attached to said main body member, a valve stem extending through said upper body portion, removable packing for said valve stem, a motor base member attached to said upper body portion, conduit connection means in said base member, a pneumatic motor means for engaging said valve stem removably secured to said base member, and flexible conduit means extending between said conduit connection means and said motor means to permit said motor means to be moved from engagement with said valve stem sufliciently to permit removal of said packing without movement of said motor base member.

9. A valve structure comprising a body member, a valve seat within said body member, a movable valve member engageable with said seat, a stem means for operating said movable member, motor means for exerting force on said stem and thereby actuating said valve member, manual means for exerting force on said stem for actuation of said valve member without regard to said motor means, and spring loaded strain release means arranged between said manual means and said stem means.

10. A valve structure comprising a body memher, a valve seat within said body member, a movable valve member for coacting with said seat, a stem means for operating said movable member, spring means for urging said movable member away from said valve seat, motor means for exerting force on said stem means for causing said movable valve member to engage said seat, manual means for exerting force on said valve stem for closing said valve, and second spring means arranged between said manual means and said stem means, said second spring means being stiffer than the first named spring means but weak enough to deflect before excess stress can be imposed on said valve stem.

11. A valve construction comprising, a valve body having an operating stem projecting therefrom, a motor base member attached to said valve body, said base member including guide means, an upper unitary motor means for actuating said valve stem, said motor means including a guide member for coacting with said guide means for m-ovably positioning said motor means relative to said base member, and cap means for holding said motor means in a predetermined position relative to said base member, said motor means being disengageable from said stem upon removal of said capmeans.

12. A valve construction comprising, a valve body having an operating stem projecting therefrom, a base member attached to said valve body,

said base member including guide means extending parallel to said stem, an upper unitary power actuator for actuating said valve stem, said actuator including a guide member for coacting with said guide means for movably positioning said actuator relative to said base member, and cap means for rigidly securing said actuator in operative position relative to said base member, said actuator being arranged between said cap means and said stem and removable as a unit upon removing said cap means.

13. A valve construction comprising, a valve body having an operating stem projecting therefrom, a base member attached to said valve body, said base member including guide means, an upper power actuator for actuating said valve stem, said actuator including a guide member for coacting with said guide means for movably posi- 'tioning said actuator relative to said base member, and manually adjustable cap means for normally holding said actuator in one position relative to said base member but operable to move said actuator relative to said base member sufliciently to move said valve stem from one extreme position to its opposite position.

14. A pneumatically operated valve including a body portion and a valve member movable by a valve stem, an actuator for said stem comprising a flanged member having an air connection, means for holding said actuator in a predetermined position relative to said stem, and flexible diaphragm means attached to said flanged member in sealing relation, said diaphragm being molded in the shape of a frustum of a hollow cone and having an outwardly extending attaching portion near its base and hav-- ing a downwardly extending rib-like convolution between said base and said attaching portion.

15. In a pneumatic actuator for a valve, a substantially concave actuator member having a peripheral flange, a substantially convex flexible diaphragm arranged in spaced relation to and extending into said concave member, said diaphragm being formed in the shape of a frustum of a hollow cone with an outwardly extending attaching flange near its base and having a downwardly extending rib-like convolution between the base and the attaching flange, and means for clamping said attaching flange to said peripheral flange.

16. A valve comprising a body portion, a movable valve member having an operating stem therefor, an actuator for said stem, and attaching means including an adjustable cap means for securing said actuator to said body portion and for actuating said stem through said actuator, said cap means being constructed of a material having good heat radiating characteristics and relatively poor heat conductivity so that the temperature rise of said actuator when said body portion is heated will be a minimum, said cap means having a ribbed edge portion for a non-slip grip and for increasing its heat radiating area.

PETER P. DEMAY.

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